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4 Myths about Voting this Election Season

We all know we should be voting, but is it really that important? After all, we’re not even picking the president this year. 

The United States has a surprisingly low turnout of voters, hovering between 55 and 60 percent in any given election. Why can’t we find it in ourselves to get out there and vote our values? Could it be that we believe one or more of these myths?

Myth #1: Midterm elections don’t matter anyway.

There’s a lot of hype for presidential elections, but for some reason, midterm elections don’t seem to matter as much. Nothing could be further from the truth. As powerful as the Presidential office is, he can—ideally—do almost nothing without the support of the Senate and the House. (We saw a government shut down just last year due to House and Senate disagreements on the federal budget.) Do you know who is running for the Senate or House positions open in your state and district? What about the Gubernatorial or Mayoral races? These matter!

Myth #2: There are no important races this year.

With all 435 voting seats in the House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 Senate seats up for a vote, no one can deny the importance of this year’s races. In addition, 36 of the 50 states are electing governors, and many U.S. cities are electing mayors. Do you know who’s running in your district? These are the people who make the decisions that keep our local, state, and national governments running. We need to make sure they are the people who are going to truly care for the people—both in the womb and out of the womb.

Myth #3: My vote doesn’t make a difference.

We’ve heard this one before. Every vote matters. Every single vote matters. Every life changes the world in an unrepeatable and irreplaceable way. And so does every vote. If we stay home on Election Day, our prolife candidates will have to stay home too! What we do and don’t do makes a difference, so let’s make it a positive one.

Myth #4: I can’t talk about political issues or encourage others to vote.

Untrue! While certain regulations may apply to what your pregnancy help organization can do, you are well within your rights as an individual citizen to encourage those within your sphere of influence to head to the polls. There is everything to gain, and nothing to lose when we encourage our community to vote their values.

Don’t believe these myths this season—vote your values instead. Generations yet to be born are counting on us! 

Heartbeat International congratulates CAM (Centro de Ayuda para la Mujer Latinoamericana, A. C.) on reaching 25 years of lifesaving ministry.

Heartbeat President, Peggy Hartshorn, was honored to celebrate this great achievement with CAM representative in Mexico City, Mexico, saying: 

 "Congratulations on this very important occasion of the 25^th Anniversary of CAM. God certainly laid it on the hearts of your founders, Jorge and Magdalena, that it was essential that every woman with a difficult pregnancy, finding herself perhaps alone and afraid, could find help and hope and the courage she needed to carry her pregnancy to term.  This is because every person is made in the image and likeness of God, both the mother and the child!

Let us continue to lock arms around the world, pray for each other, strengthen and encourage each other, and recommit to the task ahead.  Our strength and power comes from the Lord.  We are responding to his call, Come follow Me.  We are running the race and fighting and good fight and we look forward to our reward in heaven where, like St. Paul, we hope to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Life Reach Global FAQs

Will all of my donation be sent to the international organization?

Generally all designated donations will be forwarded to the organization less any costs for transferring monies. In some cases an affiliation fee and/or an administrative fee (not exceed 3% of the gift) will be deducted. Current affiliation with Heartbeat is a minimum requirement for participation in the program and the international organization is given the option to pay directly or have affiliation fees deducted. (Currently the annual affiliation cost for an international organization is $70USD.)

In the unexpected event that an international organization is not able to receive the donation (i.e. discontinuing operation, disruption in communication, lapsing affiliation) Heartbeat reserves the right to return the gift to the donor or redirect funds to a similar international purpose.

What are “money transfer costs”?

Money transfer costs are the fees and charges associated with moving monies from our U.S. bank to the international organization. Usually money transfer costs include currency exchange fees and charges for an electronic transfer option (bank wire transfer, online money transfer, etc.). Bank wire transfers generally are a fixed cost (i.e. $40USD) while online money transfer requires a “transaction fee” which is usually a small percentage of the overall amount of the transaction (similar to credit card costs).

How soon will the international organization receive donated funds?

After internal processing of the gift, we will forward the funds to the international organization on, at least, a quarterly basis. However, amounts forwarded need to substantially exceed money transfer costs.  Example, a single gift of $20USD might cost $40USD to transfer (assuming it’s to a country that does not permit online money transfers). In such cases, the donation will be held for additional donations to accrue to make the transfer of funds beneficial to the receiving organization.

Will I receive a receipt for my donation?

Heartbeat International will receipt all donations, usually as an immediate response to your gift given online via the specific campaign page. As a donor to Heartbeat, you should also expect to receive follow-up information about Heartbeat International and its missional efforts. As always you can unsubscribe to email sends and/or communicate directly with us to limit future communications. Heartbeat never sells donor information.

Will the international organization receive my donor information?

Heartbeat International will only pass along donor contact information and not any transactional information (like credit card or banking numbers) so that the receiving organization is in a position to thank their donors and provide additional information about their life-affirming outreach. A donor may opt to remain anonymous by checking the appropriate box at the time of making the gift.

Can I give my donation directly to the international organization?

Yes, anyone can provide funding directly to a worthwhile work outside the U.S.; however, such donations will likely not be tax deductible since international organizations are not recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.).  Heartbeat International is able to receive such gifts and receipt for tax deductions because of our international mission and having taken the appropriate I.R.S. steps.

If tax deductibility is not a concern (giving already from a foundation or existing non-profit) then the primary benefit for a gift through Heartbeat is to leverage our connection with the international organization. Each organization is vetted through an approval process that includes length of affiliation (more than one year) and other proof of program activities and outcomes.

We’re a U.S. pregnancy help organization. Can we give directly to the international organization?

Yes, a U.S. non-profit can generally give a contribution to an international organization as long as there is clear missional alignment (identified within your articles, by-laws) and that of the intended international organization. If it is desired to regularly fund an international organization or multiple organizations your U.S. non-profit should investigate I.R.S. regulations and enact appropriate steps as Heartbeat has done.

Will Heartbeat receive funds for a group not on its approved list?

Heartbeat International cannot take responsibility for directed donations apart from our current list of approved organizations and joint affiliation partners. We welcome introductions to new life-affirming pregnancy help organizations outside the U.S. Affiliation with Heartbeat is always the first step toward a potential future listing through our Life Reach Global program. If the gift is received through our campaign page directed to a non-approved organization, Heartbeat’s options are to contact the donor for re-allocation, return (credit) the gift back to the donor or redirect the gift within the program.

How does a current or prospective Heartbeat international affiliate become part of the Life Reach Global program?

Interested life-affirming pregnancy help organizations need to complete the application process in its entirety for consideration in the Life Reach Global program. Current affiliation for at least 12 months is the first prerequisite. 

Does Heartbeat International actively promote the individual international organizations in the Life Reach Global program?

Heartbeat International accepts no responsibility for advertising or promoting individual organizations involved in the Life Reach Global program apart from establishing the funding opportunity on our website and providing a related listing and donation page. From time to time we may highlight the program and potential success stories within it. Participating organizations should promote their participation in the program and their campaign page to their current and prospective supporters. 

Heartbeat’s Life Reach Global is a way for our international affiliates, who meet our requirements and fulfill our approval process, to have a venue for U.S. based donors to contribute funds to their life-affirming effort.

If you are an international affiliate that would like to participate in our Life Reach Global, click here to download the Life Reach Global Application.

Heartbeat has long valued and encouraged starting and supporting pregnancy help efforts in communities across the globe. The U.S. has a myriad of life-minded citizens who have great interest or affinity for a particular country, people group or community in other parts of the globe. Life Reach Global can be a portal to extend to our international affiliates “life-giving help in a life-saving way.”

If you are not receiving regular correspondence from Heartbeat or feel we do not have your current contact information, please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All financial gifts received designated for our approved “alliance” affiliates will be forwarded to them in a reasonable timeframe (usually upon exceeding $250US). Heartbeat International deducts the cost of transferring funds plus a 3% administrative fee from the transfer, to help defray internal cost for money transfers, currency conversion, clerical costs, bank fees and any processing fees that might be charged. Should any funds be unable to be forwarded – primarily related to the recipient - they may be re-allocated for similar international work.

Click a country in green below to find a Life Reach Global partner.

International Partners

Country Index

Africa

Ghana

South Africa

Tanzania

Uganda - Pregnancy Care Ministry

Uganda - Silent Voices

Zambia

Asia

Philippines

South Korea

Taiwan

Australia

Central/South America

Mexico

Europe

Bosnia Herzegovina

Italy

Macedonia

Serbia

Spain

Ukraine

North America

Canada

Caribbean

Barbados

Life Reach Global FAQs

Heartbeat will contact you directly to let you know if you qualify to continue the process of the scholarship application. 

Please note, your survey submission does not mean you are automatically granted a scholarship and these funds would only be available to those attending the New Director Track.